What do you think is going to happen if I park in a handicapped zone with a California disabled person parking placard on my rental car while on vacation in Switzerland?

Are the local gendarmes likely to be upset?

Any idea how I could obtain a (temporary) permission?

Thanks for your insight in this matter.

Best to ask them for their opinion.

http://www.myhandicap.ch/ch-behindertenparkplatz.html

In German.

http://www.ikst.ch/index.asp

You would really need to check beforehand if a US disabled permit is valid here.
I know that an EU disabled badge is valid in Switzerland but I'm not sure for non EU countries.

Yes a USA permit is valid in CH.

Link: http://www.internationaltransportfor...parking.html#S

SWITZERLAND

On public roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are indicated by the wheelchair symbol. For parking in other places (including long term), the parking badge must be displayed with a parking permit.
Parking on Roads

• You can park for up to 2 hours in streets in which parking is strictly prohibited (indicated by signs);
• You can park for up to 6 hours in authorised parking places in streets in which parking is free but time limited;
• You can park for over 6 hours in streets in which parking is controlled par meters or pay and display. The decision on whether such parking is free is taken locally. You need to check;
• You can park for up to two hours in meeting/pick up areas and in pedestrian areas to which access is permitted.

Parking in Car Parks
National parking concessions do not apply in private car parks. You need to check locally on reserved places and charges.
Reciprocal Recognition
The badge is similar to that prescribed by the European Union. Switzerland has implemented ECMT Resolution 97/4.
Contact
Stephan HALTINER
Case Postale 3003
Berne
E-mail: stephan.haltiner@astra.admin.ch


And,

Link: http://www.internationaltransportfor...df/dis974e.pdf

Thank you for all the replies, advice, comments, and links.
This is exactly what I was looking for.